00:20a new dispute is brewing between the United States and Canada not over trade
00:26but over smoke filling American skies U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to increase tariffs on Canadian imports arguing
00:36that massive wildfire smoke drifting south is imposing billions of dollars in costs on the United States the warning comes
00:45as thick smoke from hundreds of wildfires across Canada continues to blanket large parts of the Northeastern and Midwestern United
00:54States air quality
00:56has deteriorated sharply in several major American cities in New York City the air quality index climbed into unhealthy levels
01:05prompting authorities to issue health advisories distribute protective masks and urge vulnerable residents to remain indoors officials also opened cooling
01:16centers as smoke combined with summer heat to create hazardous conditions
01:21Detroit was listed among the world's most polluted cities while Washington and Chicago also experienced unhealthy air quality meteorologists say
01:32smoke from fires burning across Ontario and parts of northern Minnesota traveled hundreds of miles south reducing visibility and increasing
01:42concentrations of fine particulate pollution
01:45health experts warn that prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can increase the risk of respiratory illness cardiovascular problems and other
01:55serious health complications as of Saturday Canada was battling hundreds of active wildfires with many still burning out of control
02:04against that backdrop President Trump launched a sharp attack on Canada through social media
02:11He accused Ottawa of failing to properly manage its forests and argued that repeated wildfire seasons have become an annual
02:20burden on the United States
02:22Trump described the situation as willful negligence and said the cost of smoke pollution should be added to the tariffs
02:30Canada already pays
02:32He also said he planned to speak with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney about the issue
02:38The comments introduce a new point of friction in the relationship between the two close allies
02:45However, Canada rejected suggestions that it has failed to respond
02:50Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olson said Canadian and American authorities remain in constant contact and continue to cooperate closely in
03:00fighting wildfires
03:01She also highlighted Canada's investment of billions of dollars in forest sustainability and wildfires
03:08In the United States, Canada's investment of wildfire prevention programs since 2020
03:11Scientists say increasingly severe wildfire seasons are being driven by hotter temperatures and prolonged dry conditions
03:20With climate change contributing to longer and more intense fire seasons across North America
03:26The smoke has also raised concerns beyond public health
03:30Organizers of the upcoming World Cup Final in New Jersey say they are closely monitoring air quality conditions
03:37As forecasts warned that smoke concentrations could fluctuate over the weekend
03:42The National Weather Service has cautioned that smoke levels may increase again before weather conditions improve
03:50The latest dispute highlights how environmental crises are increasingly spilling into politics, trade and international relations
03:59While firefighters continue battling hundreds of blazes across Canada
04:04The smoke is now being influenced by diplomatic discussions between two of North America's closest partners
04:11Whether the tariff threat becomes official policy remains unclear
04:16But with air quality deteriorating political tensions rising and wildfire season far from over
04:23The fallout from Canada's fires is now being felt far beyond its borders
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